We know Woody Johnson craves star power, and LaDainian Tomlinson has it, and Thomas Jones does not. But here’s what I simply do not understand:

Why in the world did the Jets let Jones walk out rather than pay him $5.8 million (a $2.8 million salary) and then swiftly rush to let Tomlinson walk in last night for a two-year, $5.1 million deal with $500,000 in incentives?

Why in the world would they decline to match the two-year, $5 million deal, according to Pro Football Talk, Thomas Jones got from the Chiefs?

Especially when LT now stands for Less Terrifying. Especially in an uncapped year.

There is no way the Jets can definitively determine at this point in time whether Less Terrifying — or Low Tank — is shot or not.

I recognize there is a price to pay for a backup running back. Jones would have been a backup to Shonn Greene just as LT is a backup to Shonn Greene. But there is also a price to pay — a championship price to pay — for pinching pennies if it turns out to be the wrong call.

Until further review, I’m ruling this a fumble. To wit:

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Jones rushed for 1,402 yards last season.

Tomlinson rushed for 730 yards last season.

EDGE: JONES

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Jones averaged 4.2 yards per carry last season.

Tomlinson rushed for 3.3 yards per carry.

EDGE: JONES

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Jones has 2,280 career carries.

Tomlinson has 2,880 career carries.

EDGE: JONES

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Jones will be 32 in August.

Tomlinson will be 31 in June.

EDGE: TOMLINSON

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Jones is a selfless, inspirational leader revered by most teammates, particularly Greene.

Tomlinson is a star who has never been a mentor in his professional life.

EDGE: JONES

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Jones had six 100-yard games and one 200-yard game in 2009.

Tomlinson’s last 100-yard game came Oct. 28, 2008 at New Orleans (19-105).

EDGE: JONES

The only way this makes sense to me is if Jones, as he was being asked to restructure his deal, was adamant about not playing a backup role to Greene, the rookie who had the hot hand during the Jets’ playoff run, and Tomlinson was amenable to serving as a third-down receiver out of the backfield/insurance policy for a pup who has never been the lead dog, and for a rehabilitating Leon Washington (broken leg), if he stays. But I don’t know that. Jones averaged only 2.6 yards per carry in the playoffs — but never forget he got the longest yard on fourth-and-1 against the Chargers — but was that because he hit the wall, or because he had a barking knee? And who has a better chance at the fourth-and-1

The Chargers clearly decided that Less Terrifying was washed up. And he sure looked washed up in the playoff game against the Jets. Like Jones, he is a man of immense pride, and will try one last time to turn back the clock on a much bigger and brighter stage. Edgerrin James had one last hurrah after leaving the Colts. Just one. Most of the Over-the-hill Club of running backs 30 and older simply hobble off into the sunset. It will be up to Brian Schottenheimer to make sure that he preserves Less Terrifying by limiting the wear and tear on him game by game.

Less Terrifying made the right choice, given Brett Favre’s latest waffling, given the presence of Adrian Peterson in the Vikings’ backfield, given the cohesion of the Jets’ offensive line, given that everyone loves playing for Rex Ryan. If nothing else, perhaps Less Terrifying can also serve as a babysitter (pun intended) for Antonio Cromartie, a former teammate similarly discarded by Charger GM A.J. Smith. This much is certain: Less Terrifying will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.